to make an effort or try to do something, especially something difficultattempt to do somethingI will attempt to answer all your questions.Do not attempt to repair this yourself.attempt somethingThe prisoners attempted an escape, but failed.More Like ThisVerbs usually followed by infinitivesafford,agree,appear,arrange,attempt,beg,choose,consent,decide,expect,fail,happen,hesitate,hope,intend,learn,manage,mean,neglect,offer,prepare,pretend,promise,refuse,swear,try,want,wishSee worksheet.Word Originlate Middle English: from Old Frenchattempter, from Latinattemptare, from ad-

‘to’

+ temptare

‘to tempt’

.Extra examplesA group of junior army officers attempted a coup in March 1988.Don’t attempt to argue with him.In attempting to avoid the obvious pitfalls, many students make other silly mistakes.More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide.The coastguard had advised them not to attempt a rescue.The patient may attempt to dismiss or deny the problem.The prisoner was shot while attempting to escape.